You're soooo brave....

Congratulations to each of you who have started or completed the pouch test.  You are all so brave and inspirational.  I had no fear, second-thoughts, concerns, etc...about the surgery, but this pouch test has me terrified.  I want to be in control... but I am watching life get in the way.  How do I plan on when to do this around work schedules, fund-raising dinners, benefits, and family meals...  I know that I should simply do it... Just do it!!! But, I am so hestitant to committ myself to it.  I have so lost the ability these days to be in control.  However, reading your successes...helps me to know that it is possible...  THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Scares me, too. I know I could not do it. Too many sliders and high sugar items. I'd gain for sure.

I did manage to take off 9 of my 13# regain by following a stricter than Atkins plan for 8 weeks. I did my usual 6 proteins/day (no milk, no sugar, no fruit) and my 4 meals/snacks were protein ONLY. No sugar, no milk. In my case, notoverly fond of meats or fish, I had one meat meal/day and the rest were protein bars (or partial bar).

I attend all kinds of things, so at those events, I just focused on protein foods. Not easy for me since I'd rather have veggies any day, but I needed to take off those 13# by a certain date, so no messing around for me.

I've only completed day one, but the reason I am doing this is I feel that I eat WAY too much carbs/sugar. I'm not gaining weight, but I need to get more control over my eatting habits.  I'm a full time student and full time taxi for my kids. lol I was able to do the liquid day just fine today. I brought protein powder and sf hot chocolate to school and made my "lunch" I drank a lot of water and ice tea. I can't stand chicken soup or broth, so I didn't bother with that.  Family meals were a little hard tonight. But I drank my drink and ate my sf pudding and all was well. It's no different then when we first had surgery really!!  It is possible to do!! Jump on board, and see what happens.

I'm looking forward to starting the plan but I work such a weird schedule and everyone around me grazes all night long, so it would be hard for me to start on a work night.  I will start day 1 on Thursday so I can have at least 2 days down before having to come back to work.  I think I'll have a better handle on things after that first 2 days.  I have noticed that since I've been reading about the 5-day and thinking about it that I'm much more consciencious about what I eat and how much time I take to chew.  So it's been a good thing for me even before I actually start.   Best of luck!!!   Sheryl

Daniel, I couldnt have put it better myself.  I only found this board this morning and read about the pouch test and it really has me terrified.  I keep thinking of all the reasons not to do it.  Im about to go to bed and see if I can get the courage up to start tomorrow.  I guess I just dont want to fail yet again. hugs, Helen

Hey Daniel if you read my post you will see that I was only able to complete three days of the pouch test before I ran into my first major issue. friends birthday party and drinks. To be honest try and find a few days in a row that you know you can at least restart your system. Just try and do one day at a time and it goes easier than you think. Remember we have all done this before. It is just like right after surgery. I have found even with just doing 3 full days I was able to eat less and be full much faster. I have gotten back on track and feel much better about myself. When I first tried to go back and do a protein drinks for breakfast I wasn't full and ended up eating way to much. Now I can have a larger protein drink and be full until just about 11:00. good luck donna

I have not done the pouch test, but I have reevaluated my day-to-day eating patterns and made some changes.  I was regularly eating more carbs than I needed -- sometimes using the reason that I needed the carbs to support my exercise habit.  What's true is that I need some carbs, but not as many as I was eating.  So I dropped about 200 calories of carbs from my daily routine (some high-fiber cereal, half-serving of pretzels, and one piece of fruit).  Just dropping those 3 things cut about 60 carbs from my daily routine, and I really don't miss them.   I'm 2 years out and, at this point, it's about making small adjustments to my daily routine that I can live with long term.  I do need carbs to support my exercise habit -- about 200-250 grams per day is good for me.  Anything above that is overkill.   If you can't work the pouch test into your routine -- I could not -- try making other small adjustments to your day-to-day routine.  Also, make good choices when you attend fund-raising dinners,  benefits, family meals, etc.  Pre-surgery, I thought any time I ate out was an opportunity to "splurge."  I've had to retrain myself to limit my splurging and to consistently make healthy choices.  Do I "cheat"?  Absolutely!  But I make conscious decisions about it, and I make sure it's something that's really worth spending the calories on.  Why waste calories on junk you can have any time?  But a half of piece of key lime pie every once in a while?  Worth every extra minute on the elliptical machine.... That's a long-winded way of saying there are other ways you can take control other than the pouch test.  It works well for some, but there are other paths to follow... Good luck on your continuing journey -  Kellie

I think it scared me, too, for a while -- and I couldn't figure out why.  Then it became clear that I'd let food become my friend again -- the one thing I swore would never happen again.  Once I faced that horrible truth, I realized that I needed to do this just to get back in control.  Food is like the devil -- it cloaks itself in a very attractive package and pretty soon it's become a friend again. I have my own test coming up today.  There's a potluck at work.  I did bring dips and veggies for the potluck but I plan to stick with day 2 of the pouch test.  I also brought protein shakes for me. I remember after I had the surgery I was so "good".  Food didn't tempt me and I'd go to parties and out to each with people and just eat a dab.  If I could do it then, I should be able to do it now.  That's what I keep telling myself anyway. Good luck to us all! Deb

I don't have a pouch...but hey....it sounds like a good idea to get control.  Even though I had the DS, I dont' think it's ever a good idea to be completely out of control when it comes to food.  The whole 2 days of protein shakes sounds really tough though....but I know from my lighter eating days (I do have them...not often but from time to time) when I start to eat again I  have more restriction then when I'm eating heavier on a regular basis.  Good luck. Scott

Hey Scott! You ever get over to the support group in Fishkill or Poughkeepsie? I too love the Renegades my kids think that's the most fun! Be Well, ANDI